Microsoft reconsiders WP7 app rejection

Microsoft appears to be reconsidering a decision to bar an application from the Windows Phone 7 market, in one of the first tests of the software giant's mobile app approval process.

Apple has been perceived to be on the opposite end of the spectrum, scrutinizing each app and rejecting some for what some developers have characterized as arbitrary or overly strict reasons.

However, judging from the online discussion about Imagewind, some people feel Microsoft will have gone too far if it does force the removal of Imagewind. Peters and others say that a similar app would likely be approved in the iPhone App Store if it presented a warning that users must be over 17 years old. He said that WP7 doesn't have the option to present such a warning.

Peters wrote that he's slightly annoyed that the app wasn't rejected initially because he has since potentially wasted time improving it. But he's hopeful that he might be able to come up with an agreement with Microsoft that will allow the application.

"Obviously there is still room for the Windows Phone marketplace to improve, and maybe this can be one place to push for some changes," he wrote.